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TENNESSEE

Testing of homeschool students

As it has for the past four years, the Tennessee Department of Education attempted to require homeschool students to take certain end-of-course tests during the 2003–04 school year. According to a memorandum to parents dated March 1, 2004, from Director of Home Schools/Auxiliary Services Randy Hankins at the department of education, such tests are mandated by state law.

Specifically, Dr. Hankins' memorandum stated that students in grade 9 who were not associated with a church-related school and students in grades 9–12 who were associated with a church-related school had to take tests in the areas of Math Foundations II, Algebra I, Biology I, English I, and English II. The memorandum also stated that the Tennessee Comprehensive Assessment Program (TCAP) test was to be administered to students in grades 5 and 7 if the students were not associated with a church-related school.

It is Home School Legal Defense Association's opinion, based upon the language of the homeschool statute, legislative history, and constitutional considerations, that homeschool students do not have to take the end-of-course tests described in the memorandum. The homeschool statute requires that tests administered to homeschool students be standardized achievement tests. None of the proposed end-of-course tests is a standardized achievement test. On the other hand, indications are that the TCAP test is a standardized achievement test which is properly required for students not associated with a church-related school.

In future school years, any family encountering difficulties with school officials over administration of end-of-course tests should contact us immediately for assistance.

— by Dewitt T. Black